Huguenot Bridge beam installations begin tonight

Citizen Staff Reports

08/20/12

Starting tonight, construction crews will begin installing beams for the second half of the new Huguenot Memorial Bridge over the James River. The beam installations will take place between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Friday through Sept. 7, weather permitting. There will be no beam installations on Labor Day.

For driver safety, traffic will be stopped periodically for up to 45 minutes each night as cranes lift 80,000 pound steel beams over the bridge and secure them into place on the new bridge. Huguenot Bridge traffic will resume between beam installations.

To avoid delays during the beam installations, VDOT recommends Huguenot Road (Route 147) drivers use the following alternate routes:

Northbound – Chippenham Parkway (Route 150) north over the Willey Bridge to River Road east to Huguenot Road or use Powhite Parkway/Route 76 (toll) east into Richmond

Southbound – River Road west to Chippenham Parkway (Route 150) south to Huguenot Road

“The contractor is installing these heavy beams from the temporary causeway on the west side of the bridge in order to reduce the weight over a critical water main on the east side of the bridge,” said Harold Dyson, district construction manager. “Crews will secure the beams as quickly as possible to limit driver delays each night.” The contractor expects to install 22 beams through Sept. 7 and another 22 beams in October (schedule to be announced).

Efforts to build a new bridge to replace the 62-year old Huguenot Memorial Bridge began in October 2010. Traffic was shifted to the first half of the new bridge on June 30. Demolition of the old bridge is underway. The second half of the new bridge is expected to be completed and open to drivers in summer 2013. The $54.5 million project is currently on schedule for final completion in October 2013.

The 10th Annual Filipino Festival will be held Aug. 7-8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 8200 Woodman Rd., beginning with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Friday and continuing with live entertainment, food and exhibits until 10 p.m. On Saturday the festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a full schedule of performances featuring traditional Filipino dance, music and song.

Filipino cuisine, including BBQ, pansit, lumpia, adobo, halo-halo, lechon, empanada and leche flan, will be available for purchase. The festival will also feature a children's area, church tours, exhibits, and health screenings. > Read more.

The Children’s Museum of Richmond last week opened its new Short Pump location at Short Pump Town Center, to the delight of children who attended a sneak preview of the location July 10. The new facility, located under the forthcoming LL Bean store (formerly the food court) is 8,500 square feet in size – much larger than CMoR’s former Short Pump location at West Broad Village, which opened in 2010. The new space includes The CarMax Foundation Service Station, the Silver Diner, a grocery store, a performance stage and an art studio, as well as a giant Light Bright Wall. > Read more.

The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Henrico Police are both presenting community events tomorrow, Aug. 1. The Feria Community Resource Fair at Richmond International Raceway brings together community service providers, embassies/consulates from Latin American countries, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporations that impact the Latino community. The Division of Police’s Community Day will feature demonstrations and displays from police, fire, animal protection and sheriff’s office, as well as family activities, food, entertainment and more. Other events this weekend include wine, chess and theatre! For all our top picks this weekend, click here! > Read more.